Cover handling and chute positioning apparatus

ABSTRACT

A cover and chute handling apparatus for use in combination with a bottom head of a coker is described. The apparatus includes rails positioned adjacent to the bottom head of the coker. A bottom head cover and a spacer are suspended by the rails and slide thereon. A force ring is suspended beneath the bottom head cover or the spacer. Force ring actuators are connected to the force ring and move the force ring to press either the bottom head cover or the spacer against the bottom head of the coker. A chute may be connected to the force ring so that the chute is positioned adjacent to the bottom head of the coker during emptying of the coker. The chute directs effluents from the coker to a receiving area. A method of emptying a coker is also described.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a cover handling apparatus that has been designed for use with a petroleum coker. More specifically, the present invention is an apparatus that facilitates removal of the bottom head cover of a Delayed Coker Unit (“DCU” or “coker”). The present invention also concerns the positioning of a chute beneath the coker to direct the flow of material effluents therefrom.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the art of petroleum refining, the by-products of the petroleum distillation process typically are subject to further processing to produce a substance known as “coke.” Coke is a term of art that refers to a carbonaceous product produced when hydrocarbon materials are exposed to specific heat and pressure conditions for a predetermined time period. As a highly-concentrated form of carbon, coke has many uses, as would be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Among them, coke may be used as a fuel for coal-burning fossil fuel electrical generating power plants.

To produce coke from petroleum distillation by-products, the by-products must be heated to a temperature of between about 870° F. (466° C.) to about 910° F. (488° C.) for a predetermined period of time (about 10 to 24 hours) under a pressure of about 35 psig (241 kPa). This is usually done in a batch process in a vessel known as a Delayed Coker Unit or “coker.”

A coker is basically a large pressure vessel that is several stories tall. Typically, a coker is filled from the top with the petroleum distillation by-products. During heating (i.e., during the coking process), gases are produced within the coker, which are removed and are processed further. In some instances, the gases may be refined to create useable (or saleable) products. Waste materials are processed for disposal.

At the end of the coking process, the coker typically contains both coke and water (both in a liquid and a gaseous state). To remove the coke from the coker, the cover on the bottom head of the coker is removed and the contents are permitted to fall, under the force of gravity, from the coker into a receiving area. The material is collected for further processing or for distribution to appropriate facilities.

The removal of the bottom head is known as “deheading.” It is a process that presents a number of dangers to workers for several reasons. First, the coke being removed from the coker typically is quite hot, being about 400° F. (204° C.) or more, and can burn a person if the person comes in contact with it. Second, the coke within the coker may contain one or more pockets of superheated steam that, upon opening the bottom head cover, may erupt explosively (a phenomenon known in the industry as “geysering”). Third, the coke may be saturated with water, transforming the material into a hot sludge that can burn workers if they come into contact with it. Fourth, the coke may form into pellets (known as “shot coke”) within the coker. Upon opening the bottom head, the shot coke may pour out from the bottom of the coker in a phenomenon known as a “shot coke avalanche.”

The United States Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Heath Administration (“OSHA”), provides an overview of the deheading process and the hazards presented to workers in that environment. A discussion of the hazards associated with coker deheading is posted on the OSHA website at http://www.osha.gov/dts/shib/shib082903c.html, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Understandably, the hazards associated with the deheading process have generated considerable need for devices and processes that help to reduce risk to workers while providing a more cost effective operation. One solution that is presented by the prior art is an automatic coker deheading system that is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,254,733, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The automatic deheading device is produced by Hahn & Clay of Houston, Tex., which is the assignee of the instant patent application. Another solution is to provide a remotely-operable vessel cover positioner, such as the one described by U.S. Pat. No. 5,221,019, which is also assigned to Hahn & Clay. The contents of that patent are also incorporated herein by reference.

To facilitate the emptying of a coker, it is not uncommon to rely on a chute of some type to direct the coke to a receiving, storage, and/or processing facility or area. The erection of such a chute, however, is not a simple task due to the hazards presented by the deheading process. In addition, the limited space beneath the coker also presents logistical difficulties.

Almost all cokers are provided with a pathway or chute to contain the effluents exiting from the bottom of the coker. In the prior art, it is known for the chute to be installed on the deheading deck structure with the top of the chute being flush with the top of the deck. Typically, a cover extends over the top of the chute to cover the hole beneath the coker during the coking process. When the coker is ready for decoking (i.e., removal of the coke contained therein), the chute cover is removed manually. In some cases, the cover over the chute may be removed automatically by actuators. After the cover (or “manway head”) is removed from the coker, the chute is raised so that it mates with the manway flange at the bottom of the coker. This many be accomplished manually or automatically via actuators. After the chute is raised, the chute typically is bolted, clamped, or latched to the manway flange to secure the chute in place. The bolting, clamping, or latching may be manual or automatic (via actuators).

For the reasons listed above, the erection of the chute presents a number of hazards to workers when the process is a manual one.

An automatic process also raises a number of issues. For example, the equipment cost of automated systems is usually quite high, which is why manual operations are relied upon in many instances. To remove the chute, lift the chute, and latch the chute to the manway requires as many as ten actuators or more, which contribute considerably to the cost of the apparatus. Moreover, at least four control steps are needed. Not only does this add to the complexity of the system, it adds cost. In addition, the maintenance cost for the actuators and the control system is quite costly. Also, at least in part because of the complexity of prior art automatic systems, there is a reliability problem. The systems do not work in the intended manner each time they are activated. Moreover, it is particularly hazardous for workers to perform corrective maintenance and repair after the coker manway cover has been removed but before the chute has been raised to connect with the manway flange.

While the prior art presents several solutions to the problems associated with the coker deheading process, a need continues to develop for systems that reduce risk to workers while improving the deheading process.

Moreover, there remains a need for a simple, reliable apparatus that facilitates the erection of a chute to direct the coke to a designated receiving area.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one aspect of the present invention to provide a coker deheading apparatus that decreases risk to workers involved in the coker deheading process.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide an automated apparatus to dehead a coker through remote actuation.

On aspect of the present invention provides a cover and chute handling apparatus for use in combination with a bottom head of a coker. The apparatus includes one or more rails positioned adjacent to the bottom head of the coker. A bottom head cover is suspended by the rails and slides on the rails. A spacer is also suspended by the rails adjacent to the bottom head cover and slides on the rails. A force ring is suspended beneath the bottom head cover or the spacer. Force ring actuators connect to the force ring. The actuators cause the force ring to press either the bottom head cover or the spacer against the bottom head of the coker.

Yet another aspect of the present invention provides for an apparatus including a chute connected to the bottom of the force ring. The chute is moveable with the force ring and directs discharge of effluent materials from the coker.

Still another aspect of the present invention provides for an apparatus that includes one or more supports slidably suspended from the rails, where the supports support one or both of the bottom head cover and the spacer.

One further aspect of the present invention provides for an apparatus that has one or more slide actuators connected to one or both of the bottom head cover or the spacer. The slide actuators move the bottom head cover and the spacer beneath the bottom head of the coker or move the bottom head cover and the spacer away from a position beneath the coker.

Another aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus where the bottom head cover and the spacer are connected to one another.

One further aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus where the bottom head cover and the spacer are integrally formed.

An additional aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus that includes one or more chute supports attached to the chute, permitting the chute to rest on the chute supports when the chute is in a non-operative position, such as when the chute has been disconnected from the force ring.

A further aspect of the present invention provides for an apparatus where the force ring actuators are hydraulic.

Another aspect of the present invention provides for an apparatus where the slide actuators are hydraulic.

Still another aspect of the present invention provides for a method of operating a cover and chute handling apparatus for use in combination with a bottom head of a coker. After completion of coking, fasteners holding the bottom head cover to the bottom head of the coker are released and the force ring is lowered. The bottom head cover is moved from beneath the bottom head of the coker and a spacer is positioned beneath the bottom head of the coker. The force ring is then raised to hold the spacer against the bottom head of the coker, and the coker is emptied or decoked.

One further aspect of the present invention provides for a method where, after sliding the spacer into position beneath the bottom head of the coker, a chute is raised beneath the spacer to direct effluents from the coker.

An aspect of the present invention also provides for a method in which, after emptying the coker, the force ring is lowered, thereby releasing the spacer from engagement with the bottom head of the coker. The spacer is then moved from beneath the bottom head of the coker, thereby sliding the bottom head cover into position beneath the bottom head of the coker. The force ring is then raised to press the bottom head cover against the bottom head of the coker. The fasteners are then reengaged.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a method that is remotely actuated.

Still another aspect of the present invention provides for a method where the force ring is hydraulically actuated.

A further aspect of the present invention provides for a method where the bottom head cover and the spacer are moved hydraulically.

One additional aspect of the present invention provides for a method where the chute is connected to a bottom of the force ring.

Additionally, the present invention provides for a method where the bottom head cover and the spacer are moved simultaneously.

The present invention also provides for a method where the bottom head cover and the spacer are connected to one another.

Also, the present invention provides for a method where the bottom head cover and the spacer are integrally formed.

Other aspects of the present invention will be made apparent from the description that follows and from the drawings appended hereto, as would be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, like reference numerals are relied upon to refer to like structures. The drawings, however, are not intended to be limiting of the invention, as variations and equivalents known to those skilled in the art may be substituted for the components described herein without departing from the scope of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of one embodiment of the automatic deheading apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a left side view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, illustrating the movement of the bottom head cover from beneath the coker and the insertion of a spacer into the position formerly occupied by the bottom head cover;

FIG. 4 is a rear view elevational illustration of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 prior to the initiation of the deheading process;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 4, showing the removal of the bolts from the bottom head cover of the coker;

FIG. 6 is a perspective illustration of the apparatus shown in FIG. 5 at the point where the bolts have been removed from the bottom head;

FIG. 7 is a perspective illustration of the apparatus shown in FIG. 4, after the bottom head has been moved from beneath the coker and the spacer has been moved into place there under;

FIG. 8 is a perspective illustration of the apparatus shown in FIG. 4, showing the bottom head being returned to a position beneath the coker, after the coker has been emptied, before the bottom head reattached to the coker; and

FIGS. 9 and 10 provide a flow chart that presents one method contemplated by the operation of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-8 illustrate one embodiment of the present invention, variations of which are discussed herein. In particular, the figures illustrate the vessel cover and chute handling apparatus 10 of the present invention. While the embodiments of the invention are described in connection with their applicability to the deheading of a delayed coker unit and emptying of the coke therein, the apparatus of the present invention is not intended to be limited solely to such use. As would be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the present invention may find wide applicability to the handling of covers on a wide variety of vessels regardless of the contents of the vessels and/or the reason(s) for their use.

In addition, while the vessel closure and chute handling apparatus 10 of the present invention is intended to be used in connection with the removal of the bottom head of a vessel, the apparatus 10 of the present invention should not be construed to have applicability only to the bottom head of a vessel. It is contemplated that the apparatus 10 of the present invention also may cooperate with a head cover that is connected to a side opening in a vessel. In addition, at least the head cover handling portion of the apparatus 10 of the present invention may be used to remove the head cover at the top of a vessel, if desired.

The cover and chute handling apparatus 10 of the present invention also should not be construed to be limited solely to use with vessels. As would be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the apparatus 10 may be employed in virtually any environment where an automatic cover and chute handling apparatus is desired. For example, the present invention could be employed to permit drainage of a pipe or other structure where the cover is heavy and for which automated removal provides operational advantages.

FIG. 1 illustrates the cover and chute handling apparatus 10 of the present invention. In the contemplated embodiment, the apparatus 10 is located in a room 12 surrounding the bottom head of a coker vessel. For ease of reference, the room 12 is referred to as the coker room 12 in the discussion that follows. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the coker room 12 has a floor 14 (which is commonly referred to as a “deck”) and a ceiling 16. The deck 14 and the ceiling 16 are both made of concrete and are a part of the building surrounding the coker 18 (or plural cokers, as the case may be). Of course, the deck 14 and the ceiling 16 may be made of a material other than concrete.

The bottom end of the coker 18 protrudes through the ceiling 16 of the coker room 12 so that the bottom flange 20 (otherwise known as the “manway flange”) of the coker 18 is accessible within the coker room 12. As would be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the majority of the coker vessel 18 extends above the coker flange 20. To simplify the drawings, the entirety of the coker vessel 18 is not illustrated herein.

The cover and chute handling apparatus 10 of the present invention includes two support rails 22 that extend along the front and rear sides, beneath the flange 20. The two rails 22 are readily discernable in FIGS. 6-8. The rails 22 are suspended from the ceiling 16 of the coker room 12 by supports 24. In one contemplated embodiment, the supports 24 are hangars, struts, or the like that rigidly maintain the rails 22 at a specific, fixed distance from the ceiling 16 of the coker room 12. In an alternative embodiment, the supports 24 may be active, meaning that they may be equipped with actuators 26 so that the height of the rails 22 (relative to the ceiling 16 or the deck 14 of the coker room 12) may be adjusted. The arrows 28 provided in FIG. 1 show the direction of vertical adjustment of the rails 22, if the supports 24 are provided with active height adjustment control.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the actuators 26 are hydraulically operated. However, as would be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the actuators 26 may be pneumatically operated, operated via a motor (electrical, hydraulic, or other), or via a solenoid or other suitable electromagnetic mover. Alternatively still, the actuators 26 may be manually operable via a hand crank or other suitable, manual device.

The supports 24 preferably are affixed directly to the ceiling 16 of the coker room 12. Of course, the supports 24 need not attach or be attached to the ceiling. Alternatively, the supports 24 may be bracketed to a wall surface or to another structure present in the coker room 12. Alternatively still, the supports 24 may be affixed to the floor 14 and extend upwardly therefrom. As would be appreciated by those skilled in the art, however, attaching the supports 24 to the ceiling 16 is preferred because it maximizes the space available within the coker room 12 to facilitate the coker deheading process.

Several movable supports 30 are connected to the rails 22. The supports 30 preferably are disposed on rollers that rest on the rails 22 to permit the supports 30 to move in the direction indicated by the arrows 32. The moveable supports 30 preferably are rigidly affixed to the rails 22, meaning that they are not provided with an active height adjustment system. Of course, it is contemplated that the moveable supports 30 may be adjustable in height to ensure proper operation of the cover handling apparatus 10, among other reasons.

The supports 30 are rigidly connected to the head cover/spacer 34. The head cover/spacer 34 has two parts, as the name suggests, a head cover 36 (also referred to as a “manway cover”) and a spacer 38. The head cover 36 is shown disposed beneath the flange 20 in FIG. 1. The spacer 38 is shown to the left of the head cover 36. The head cover 36 preferably is a solid plate of metal that is bolted to the coker 18 to seal the bottom of the coker 18 during coking. In the preferred embodiment, the metal is steel. However, steel is not the only material contemplated for the head cover 36 and the spacer 38. Other metals such as aluminum may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In the preferred embodiment of the cover and chute handling apparatus 10, the head cover 36 and spacer 38 are connected to one another via a suitable fastener 40. Alternatively, the head cover 36 and the spacer 38 may be manufactured as a single metal plate and need not be separate elements that have been connected together. In other words, the head cover 36 and the spacer 38 may be integrally formed as a single unit.

The spacer 38 preferably has the same thickness as the head cover 36. The spacer 38 has a central hole 42 therein so that, when the spacer 38 is positioned beneath the coker 18, the coke may pass easily therethrough during decoking. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the central hole 42 may be provided with tapered sides 44, but this is not required to practice the present invention.

Connected to the flange 20 of the coker 18 is a body flange 46, which basically acts as a large spacer that extends beneath the bottom of the coker 18. The body flange 46 creates the vertical spacing required for the various components of the cover and chute handling apparatus 10 of the present invention. The body flange 46 has a top flange 48, a central body portion 50 and a bottom flange 52. The top flange 48 of the body flange 46 bolts to the bottom flange 20 of the coker 18. The bottom flange 52 of the body flange 46 connects the to head cover 36 to seal the bottom of the coker 18 during operation.

The top flange 48 of the body flange 46 connects to several active supports 54 that extend downwardly therefrom. The active supports 54 preferably are hydraulically actuated, although other actuation mechanisms may be employed, as would be appreciated by those skilled in the art. For example, the active supports 54 may be pneumatically or electrically actuated or may be actuated via a motor, among other mechanisms. As illustrated, the active supports 54 include hydraulic pistons 56 that are connected to hangars 58. The hangars 58 are connected to a force ring 60.

The force ring 60 extends laterally beneath the body flange 46 and cooperates with the head cover 36 and the spacer 38 to facilitate emptying of the coker 18, as discussed in greater detail below. Being attached to the active supports 54, the force ring 60 may be moved vertically as indicated by the arrows 62.

A plurality of bolts 64 extend through the force ring 60 and are positioned in register with holes 66, 68 in the head cover 36 and the lower flange 52 of the flange body 46. The bolts 64 removably engage the flange 52 of the flange body 46 to secure the head cover 36 there against during the coking operation, when the coker 18 is sealed closed. The bolts 64 are illustrated in the “down” position in FIGS. 1-3. However, it is preferred that the bolts 64 remain in the “up” position, as illustrated in FIGS. 5-8, since this facilitates their automatic engagement with the flange 52 to secure the head 36 against the body flange 46.

A chute 70, otherwise referred to as a coker chute, is connected to and extends downwardly from the force ring 60. The chute 70 preferably is a cylindrical, metal tube that directs the coke from the coker 18 when the coker 18 is being emptied. The chute 70 may direct the coke from the coker 18 to a receiving area (not shown), which is at the bottom of the discharge hole 72 provided through the deck 14 of the coker room 12. The chute 70 discourages coke from spewing into the coker room 12 while the coker 18 is being emptied.

The chute 70 may include supports 74 extending outwardly from the sides thereof. The supports 74 permit the chute 70 to rest at the top of the discharge hole 72 when the chute 70 is not in use, such as when maintenance is being performed.

As also may be appreciated from FIG. 1 (and others of the figures appended hereto), two actuators 76 are positioned adjacent to the top flange 48 of the flange body 46. The actuators 76 preferably are hydraulically actuated, although other types of actuation devices may be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention. The actuators 76 include a piston 78 that connects to one or more of the moveable supports 30, via a connector 80. These elements of the cover handling apparatus 10 are most easily identified in FIG. 3.

The actuator 76 provides the motive force to slide the supports 30 in the lateral direction, which is indicated by the arrows 82.

Also as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, for example, the flange body 46 includes a radial flange 84 extending radially outwardly therefrom. The radial flange 84 includes a flange cover 86 at the end thereof so that the radial flange 84 may be sealed closed. The operation and purpose of the radial flange 84 is not necessary to understand the operation of the cover handling apparatus 10 of the present invention and, therefore, is not discussed in greater detail herein. The radial flange 84 may be eliminated altogether without departing from the present invention.

The operation of the cover handling apparatus 10 of the present invention will now be described in connection with FIGS. 1-8.

During the coking process, the coker 18 is sealed so that petroleum by-products may be pumped therein. The bottom flange 20 of the coker 18 is closed with the head cover 36. The top of the coker 18 is also sealed, but the top head of the coker 18 is usually provided with piping so that moisture, gases, and volatile materials generated during the coking process may be collected, processed, and discarded, as appropriate. The details of the coking process are not relevant to the operation of the cover and chute handling apparatus 10 of the present invention and, therefore, are not expounded upon here.

At the conclusion of the coking process, the bottom head cover 36 of the coker 18 is removed so that the contents of the coker 18 may be removed. Once emptied, the bottom head cover 36 is reattached to the coker 18, the coker 18 is refilled, and the coking process is restarted. This operation is known as a “batch” operation.

As discussed above, the removal of the bottom cover 36 from the coker 18 presents a number of hazards to workers. The cover and chute handling apparatus 10 of the present invention minimizes the hazards to workers, because the handling operation may be actuated remotely.

During the coking process, the force ring 60 engages the bottom head cover 36 to supply sufficient force to maintain a seal between the bottom head cover 36 and the bottom of the coker 18, thereby discouraging the development of leaks. In addition, before beginning the decoking process, the force ring 60 is relied upon to supply the necessary force to hold the cover 36 in place while the bolts 64 are loosened from the lower flange 52 of the flange body 46. The actuators 54 supply the necessary force to the force ring 60 to hold the cover 36 in place as the bolts 64 are released. The bolts 64 may be released via a hydraulically-actuated system such as the one described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,221,019. Other mechanisms and methods may be used to cause the bolts 64 to be released from the bottom flange 52 of the flange body 46.

After the bolts 64 are released, the actuators 54 lower the cover 36 so that the cover 36 is supported completely by the supports 30 on the rails 22. Then, the actuator 76 slides the cover 36 from below the coker 18 and moves the spacer 38 into position beneath the coker 18. Once in place, the actuators 54 are raised once again to supply a closing force to the spacer 38 and hold the spacer 38 against the bottom of the coker 18. Since the chute 70 is attached to the bottom of the force ring 60, the chute 70 is raised into position at the same time that the actuators 54 raise the force ring 60 to seal the spacer 38 against the bottom flange 52 of the flange body 46.

After the coker 18 has been emptied, the process is reversed so that the cover 36 is secured against the bottom of the flange body 46 so that the coking process may be restarted.

If the apparatus 10 of the present invention requires maintenance, it is desirable for the chute 70 to be disengaged from the force ring 60, thereby facilitating access to the various components of the apparatus 10. At such a time, it may be desirable to keep the chute 70 in place beneath the coker 18. Accordingly, it is preferred to attach supports 74 to the exterior surface of the chute 70. The chute 70 may rest on the supports after being disengaged from the force ring 60, thereby avoiding the cumbersome step of moving the chute 70 from its position beneath the coker 18.

FIG. 1 illustrates the cover handling apparatus 10 of the present invention at the point where the bolts 64 have been released but before the spacer 38 has been moved into place below the coker 18 by the actuators 76. FIG. 2 illustrates an end view of the cover handling apparatus in the same state as illustrated in FIG. 1. In FIG. 3, the spacer 38 has been moved into position below the coker 18, but has not yet been raised into position against the bottom flange 52.

FIGS. 4-8 illustrate the operation of the cover handling apparatus 10, showing portions of the sequential operation of the apparatus 10. The apparatus is oriented opposite to the orientation shown in FIGS. 1-3. As would be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the precise orientation of the apparatus 10 is not critical to the operation of the apparatus 10.

In FIG. 4, the force ring 60 is shown in its operational position, applying pressure to the cover 36 to hold the cover 36 to the bottom of the coker 18 so that the bolts 64 may be released. In FIG. 5, the bolts have been released, the force ring 60 has been lowered, and the cover 36 has been disengaged from the bottom of the coker 18. FIG. 6 provides a perspective view of the state illustrated in FIG. 5 for purposes of clarity.

FIG. 7 illustrates the cover and chute handling apparatus 10 of the present invention after the actuators 76 have moved the cover 36 from beneath the coker 18 and the spacer 38 has been moved into place. Once in place, the force ring 60 is raised and the bolts 64 are reengaged.

After the coker 18 has been emptied, FIG. 8 illustrates the movement of the cover 36 back into place below the coker 18, prior to reengagement of the bolts 64. The force ring 60 lifts the cover 36 into place and the bolts 64 are reengaged. Thereafter, the coking process may commence and the process may be repeated.

In one variation of the embodiment of the present invention, it is contemplated that the chute 70 is not connected to the force ring 60. In this variation, the force ring 60 would surround the exterior surface of the chute 70 and move relative thereto, when actuated. Alternatively, the force ring 60 could move within the chute relative to its interior surface, when actuated. In these variations, it is contemplates that the chute 70 will be rigidly affixed to the deck 14.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate one preferred method contemplated for the operation of the cover and chute handling apparatus 10 of the present invention.

The process begins at step 100 with the end of the coking process 102. Following the end of the coking process 102, the method proceeds to step 104, where bolts 64 are released. Next, the method proceeds to step 106 where the force ring 60 is lowered so that the cover 36 may be moved from beneath the coker 18 and the spacer 38 may be positioned there beneath, as indicated in step 108. The method then proceeds to step 110, where the force ring 60 is raised to secure the spacer 38 against the bottom of the coker 18. During this operation, the chute 70 is positioned beneath the coker 18 to facilitate discharge of the coke into the discharge hole 72. At step 112, the bolts 64 are reengaged to secure the spacer 38 against the bottom of the coker 18. The transition indicator 114 in FIG. 9 merely indicates that the method continues in FIG. 10. The transition indicator 114 is not meant to indicate the presence of a step.

FIG. 10 illustrates the remainder of the method illustrated in FIG. 9. The transition indicator 116, which is labeled “A,” indicates the continuation of the steps listed in FIG. 9. The transition indicator 116 is not intended to suggest the presence of any step. After step 112, where the bolts 64 are reengaged, the method proceeds to step 118 where the coker 18 is emptied (or decoked). Once the coker is empty, the method proceeds to step 120, where the force ring 60 is lowered once again to release the spacer 38 from engagement with the bottom of the coker 18. The method then proceeds to step 122. In this step, the spacer 38 is moved from beneath the coker 18 and the cover 36 is positioned beneath the coker 18. At step 124, the force ring 60 is raised to hold the cover 36 against the bottom of the coker 18. The method then proceeds to step 126, where the bolts are reengaged. At step 128, the coking process begins again. The method ends at step 130, which indicates a return to step 100, repeating the cycle.

The method described above in connection with FIGS. 9 and 10 is intended to be illustrative of one series of steps by which the method of the present invention may be practiced. It is not intended to limit the present invention solely to the steps described or limit the invention solely to the order of the steps as presented. As would be appreciated by those skilled in the art, variations may be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The embodiments described above are meant to illustrate examples of the present invention and are not meant to limit the present invention solely to the embodiments described. To the contrary, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that variations and equivalents of the embodiments described may be substituted therefor without departing from the scope of the present invention. Those variations and equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the scope of the claims appended hereto. 

1. A cover and chute handling apparatus for use in combination with a bottom head of a coker, comprising: one or more rails positioned adjacent to the bottom head of the coker; a bottom head cover suspended by the rails, wherein the bottom head cover slides on the rails; a spacer suspended by the rails adjacent to the bottom head cover, wherein the spacer slides on the rails; a force ring suspended beneath the bottom head cover or the spacer; and one or more force ring actuators connected to the force ring, wherein the actuators move the force ring to press either the bottom head cover or the spacer against the bottom head of the coker.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a chute connected to the bottom of the force ring and being moveable therewith, wherein the chute directs discharge of materials from the coker.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: one or more supports slidably suspended from the rails, wherein the supports are slidably disposed on the rails and support one or both of the bottom head cover and the spacer.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: one or more slide actuators connected to one or both of the bottom head cover or the spacer, wherein the slide actuators move the bottom head cover and the spacer beneath the bottom head of the coker or move the bottom head cover and the spacer away from a position beneath the coker.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising: one or more slide actuators connected to one or more supports, wherein the slide actuators move the supports, thereby moving the bottom head cover and the spacer beneath the bottom head of the coker or moving the bottom head cover and the spacer away from a position beneath the coker.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bottom head cover and the spacer are connected to one another.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bottom head cover and the spacer are integrally formed.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: one or more chute supports attached to the chute, permitting the chute to rest on the chute supports when the chute is in a non-operative position.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the force ring actuators are hydraulic.
 10. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the slide actuators are hydraulic.
 11. A method of operating a cover and chute handling apparatus for use in combination with a bottom head of a coker, comprising: after completion of coking, releasing fasteners holding a bottom head cover to the bottom head of the coker; lowering a force ring securing the bottom head cover to the bottom head of the coker; sliding the bottom head cover from beneath the bottom head of the coker; sliding a spacer into position beneath the bottom head of the coker; raising the force ring to hold the spacer against the bottom head of the coker; reengaging the fasteners to secure the spacer against the bottom head of the coker; and emptying the coker.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: after sliding the spacer into position beneath the bottom head of the coker, raising a chute beneath the spacer to direct effluents from the coker.
 13. The method of claim 11, further comprising: after emptying the coker, lowering the force ring, thereby releasing the spacer from engagement with the bottom head of the coker; sliding the spacer from beneath the bottom head of the coker, thereby sliding the bottom head cover into position beneath the bottom head of the coker; raising the force ring to press the bottom head cover against the bottom head of the coker; and reengaging the fasteners to hold the bottom head cover on the bottom head of the coker.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the method is remotely actuated.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the force ring is actuated hydraulically.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein the bottom head cover and the spacer are moved hydraulically.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein the chute is connected to a bottom of the force ring.
 18. The method of claim 11, wherein the bottom head cover and the spacer are moved simultaneously.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the bottom head cover and the spacer are connected to one another.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the bottom head cover and the spacer are integrally formed. 